PARIS: The Brongniart Palace, the flagship of the Paris Heritage Monument, was dressed in green in the colors of the Saudi Arabian flag this Friday to mark the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s National Day.

Hundreds of guests, including French dignitaries, Arab and foreign diplomats, as well as numerous Saudi citizens, gathered at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to France, Fahad al-Ruwaily, in the vast reception hall of the palace.

The palace’s imposing facade was decorated with large panels bearing the slogan “We Dreamed and We Achieved” in reference to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.

Many of the guests posed for pictures or took pictures to immortalize their presence in this place, in this symbolism establishing the establishment of the Kingdom.

Entering the reception room was joyful, to the sounds of traditional music accompanied by a group of dancers. Guests lingered before the show before entering the reception hall where they were engulfed in an atmosphere bathed in green light and traditional Saudi decorations.

After a long handshake with the guests, Mr. Al-Ruwaily took the floor to highlight the quality of relations between France and Saudi Arabia. He highlighted their enhanced cooperation in various fields, from culture to politics, as well as economy and of course archaeology, through the French development agency AlUla.

He expressed his wish for this cooperation to be intensified in several sectors where both countries have common interests.

Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, who was present among the guests, took the floor to emphasize the importance that France attaches to the partnership with Saudi Arabia and their commercial ties, as well as their commercial and environmental cooperation.

After hearing the two national anthems of Saudi Arabia and France, the guests continued to celebrate around a buffet overflowing with succulent dishes.